Get Your Best Haircut Ever

Wanted a celebrity hair cut, but ended up with your mom's instead? Avoid disasters like these in the future

Find Mr. (or Ms.) Right
Step number one (no big surprise here) is finding a hair stylist. Unlike hair dyeing which you can do at home, it's better to see a pro when getting a haircut. When you see a great hairstyle you like--whether a friend's blunt cut or a layered 'do on a total stranger--ask who created it. Or do some detective work. Check out a salon's website to see samples of the handiwork. When you call for an appointment, ask if a hair stylist on staff specializes in your hair type. Some cutters are pros with curls, others at turning thin, baby-fine strands into lions' manes. Another trick: Seek out a stylist whose hair type is the same as yours. She'll be able to relate.

Case the joint
Before you lock down an appointment, visit the salon to check out the vibe. Is it too chaotic (or low-key) for your taste? Are women leaving with Victoria Beckham cuts? Winehouse beehives? Overly shellacked beauty-pageant hair? If you don't like what you see, walk out. Quickly.

Schedule smart
An early appointment is always best. Sure, a good stylist should always be on top of her game, but wouldn't you be less fresh if you'd just spent seven hours on your feet? And ask how far apart appointments are spaced, says stylist Kevin Mancuso, creative director of Nexxus Salon Hair Care. Look for a salon that schedules clients at least 30 minutes apart--rather than stacked up like a clipping assembly line every 15 minutes.

Have "The Talk"
Any stylist worth her weight in mousse will do a consult to find out your styling routine and vision for the style before picking up the shears. And by all means, bring a photo of a hairstyle you like. Even if you don't love everything about the cut, a snap can offer insight on what you're after. Is it the layering around the face? Blunt bangs? "A picture is easy to translate," says Antonio Prieto, owner of New York's Antonio Prieto Salon. "Your vision of layers may be different from mine. A picture can clear that up."

Stare and share
Sure, Brad and Angelina's kids are cute, but if your eyes focused on your hair turning into a celebrity hair cut instead of what's going on in the mirror, you could be in for a nasty surprise. Watch the cut as it progresses, and if you're unhappy at any point--even the first snip--speak up! (Also, pay close attention to how your hair is being styled and what products are being used so you can achieve the look on your own (see "The Great Hair-After").

Ask for a re-do
"There's nothing wrong with going back to your stylist if you decide after a few days that you hate the cut," says stylist George Ortiz. "In fact, most salons will fix the problem for free." Just be prepared to articulate exactly what you don't like.